University of Virginia Library

The third Book.

1. To the Gentry of Darbyshire.

Gentlemen, and my Countrey men! pray look
With courteous eyes upon this trivial Book:
For I present it to you, that it may
Show my respects to you another day.
Why to the Lords I write not you enquire:
I should not be so bold, though I desire.
But (to avoid prolixity of words)
Gentlemen they are, though you are not Lords.

2. To the Readers.

Two Books of Epigrams I've writ before,
Yet (Gentle Readers) I present you more:
Behold the third here offer'd you; but what
It will prove, good or bad, I know not yet.
May it likewise obtain your candor; els
Henceforth (for me) write Epigrams yourselves.

3. To the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Chesterfield, Baron of Shelford, &c.

Philip the second! Earl of Chesterfield!
I a request have, and I hope you'l yield:
Yet I (in modesty) long time have stuck
From making it; And 'tis but for a Buck:
Bestow one on me, and on this good reason,
I will not ask again till the next season.

4. An Epitaph on Elizabeth the Lady Reppington, who deceased at Ammington, about the 50. year of of her age, and lies buried at Tamworth.

Here underneath this Monumental Stone
Elizabeth the Lady Reppington
Doth lye inter'd: And therefore whosoere
Thou art that passest by, awhile forbear
Thy hast, and read, and weep; for he's unjust
Unto the merits of her precious dust,
That doth not drop his Tears in showers; for she
Is worthy of eternal Memory,
Worthy of storms of sighes, Thunder of Grones,
To mourn her loss with due afflictions.
The sea-bright family that gave her birth,
Hath gain'd thereby a glory on the earth.
Happy her husband in so good a wife!
Happy her children to receive a life
From such a Magazine of worthes as she!
A fair example for Posterity.
To name her virtues, is to name them all;
She was their Centre, she their pure White-hall,
Their Court, their Palace, where heaven did rejoyce
To see such Cherubims without a vice.
She was their Paradise, and her bright soul
The Diety that did command the whole.
But O! there is another heaven, else sure
Her soul had never left a place so pure.
Earth is not the reward for virtue. Look
Upwards, that's towards her, she is a Book,
A Directory for thy life; which read,
And practiced, thou wilt be so prais'd when dead.

[5]. An Epitaph on my honoured Cousin Mr. John Reppington, who deceased at Ammington about the 25 year of his age, and lies buried at Tamworth.

Here lies Iohn Reppington, that came to be
(By Edwards death) Heir of his Family:
As t'him his elder brother did give room,
So he t'his younger, witness by this tomb.
He a few weeks after his mother di'd,
And of the same (new term'd) disease beside;
So he a most obsequious son was found,
That waited on his mother under ground.
He was good natur'd, bore an honest mind,
Belov'd by all men, and to all men kind:
And had no foe but death, who (too severe)
Hath cast an Heir so young and hopeful here.

6. To Mr. Charles Hutchinson my Cousin German.

Cousin, I long to see you married well,
And long (at Rawslison) to see you dwell.
Then I should oft wait on you, make some stay;
It being (from Pooly t'Ashburn) in the way.
So I should make your house mine Inne; what tho?
W'are friends, and neer a kin: Pray be mine so.

7. To Mr. Francis Fitzherbert of Lincolnes Inne, my kinsman.

To love, and not to love; it is all one
If you do let the Fair belov'd alone:
And to love once, unless you do love ever,
Is a slight toy, and was an earnest never.
Therefore (to shew you true affection have)
Your Mistrisse wed, and love her to the grave.

8. To Mr. Will. Stanhope the younger my Cousin German.

Why do you live so long a Batchelor?
Is it cause you the femall sex abhor?
Or do you fear women are troublesome,
And therefore loth into their yoke to come?
If such opinions do your minde enthrall,
Marry a wife, and she'l confute them all.

9. Of Quintilla.

Quintilla talkes too much, and why is it?
Because Quintilla hath but little wit:
And at each thing she speakes, she doth laugh after;
A Fool is known by an excess of laughter.

10. To my mother Mrs Anne Cokain.

Let none our Ashbourn discommend henceforth;
Your Gardens shew it is a place of worth.
What delicate Sparagus you have growing there,
And in how great abundance every year?
What gallant Apricocks, and Peaches brave,
And what delicious Nectorins you have?
What Mellons that grow ripe without those Glasses
That are laid over them in other Places?
What Grapes you there have growing? and what wine
(Pleasant to tast) you made last vintage time?
Plant Vines; & (when of Grapes you have got store)
Make wine enough, and I will ask no more:
Then Mr. Bancroft (in high lines) shall tell
The world, your cellar's Aganippe's Well.